InInshirahislamically integrated self-help
ThemeTolerate distress
ApproachMindfulness
TimeAny
1Tell yourself the true thing: this feeling is real, and it is temporary. No state lasts. Ride it out.
MindfulnessTolerate distress60 secondsQur'an 93:5

You do not have to fix it right now. You only have to outlast it. Feelings crest and fall like weather.

Where it sits. DBT, Distress Tolerance skills

Islamic evidence

Your Lord is sure to give you so much that you will be well satisfied (Quran 93:5). What weighs now is not the end of the story He is writing.

your Lord is sure to give you so much that you will be well satisfied

Qur'an 93:5

Psychological evidence

Naming a hard feeling as intense but passing helps you sit with it rather than doing something rash to make it stop; the wave falls on its own if you let it.

Bowen, S.; Marlatt, A. (2009). Psychology of Addictive Behaviors · doi

Watching an urge rise and fall without acting on it (urge surfing) reduced smoking, showing urges pass on their own if not fed.

Review detail

Why it works. Reminding yourself a feeling is temporary helps you tolerate it without acting to escape it.

Managing emotionsUnder stressscholar review pendingemo-18-this-will-pass

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2Soothe yourself through the senses: a warm drink, a soft cloth, a good scent, a slow walk. Be kind to the body.
MindfulnessTolerate distress5 minutesQur'an 93:6

When you cannot fix the feeling, comfort the one who is feeling it. Small kindnesses to the body settle the mind.

Where it sits. DBT, Distress Tolerance skills

Islamic evidence

Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you? (Quran 93:6). He sheltered you; sheltering yourself gently is an echo of His care.

Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you

Qur'an 93:6

Psychological evidence

Comforting yourself through the senses, warmth, softness, a pleasant scent, calms the body and eases distress; treating yourself kindly in the moment is itself a skill.

Neff, K. D. (2003). Self and Identity · doi

Treating oneself with kindness rather than harsh judgement supports emotional resilience and wellbeing.

Review detail

Why it works. Gentle sensory self-soothing calms the nervous system and makes a hard feeling more bearable.

Managing emotionsUnder stressscholar review pendingemo-20-self-soothe

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